-Lim Kit Siang, October 10, 2013.

Both the Prime Minister, Najib Razak and the Inspector-General of Police,  Khalid Abu Bakar cannot continue to  remain silent on the Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy of police “shoot first” when dealing with suspected criminals.

Zahid gave automatic backing to the IGP when Khalid made the ludicrous excuse  that the 44 missing police firearms could have “fallen into the sea”  when the 2012 Auditor-General’s Report revealed RM1.33 million worth of missing police assets which had included 29 vehicles, 156 handcuffs, 26-walkie-talkies and 22 radios.

Is Khalid going to give similar backing to the Home Minister that police is now operating on a policy of “shoot first” when dealing with suspected criminals?

Whichever the position, Malaysians are entitled to know from the Inspector-General of Police whether the police had adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in line with Zahid’s announcement last Saturday, and if so, when this new SOP had taken effect.

The Dzaiddin Police Royal Commission of Inquiry established by former Prime Minister Abdullah submitted 125 recommendations in 2005 to create an efficient, accountable, trustworthy, incorruptible, professional and world-class police force with three core police functions, viz: to reduce crime, eradicate corruption and uphold human rights.

Where is there a world-class police force which carries out the three core police functions but operates on a policy of  police “shoot first” when dealing with suspected criminals?

It is a sad commentary of the present state of affairs that all the three core functions highlighted by the Dzaiddin Police Royal Commission of Inquiry eight years ago had not been achieved.

It is not only the Prime Minister who should speak up whether his government countenances and condones a policy of police “shoot first” when dealing with suspected criminals, the Cabinet tomorrow should take a stand on the issue.

In fact, the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council should hold an emergency meeting to declare its stand on Zahid’s policy of police “shoot first” when dealing with suspected criminals.